A BID is being made for a £1.6m grant to make a start on improvements to Barnard Castle.

A request for the cash will be sent soon to regional development agency One NorthEast - and, if granted, a project will be launched to upgrade many of the town's main features.

Consultants have been working for months on the blueprint, called the Barnard Castle Vision, and there are now hopes that funds will be available to get some improvements under way later this year.

Anne Allen, who is co-ordinating suggestions, as assistant to the Vision, said yesterday that she was putting the finishing touches to the bid.

Work wanted, in various stages, includes new floodlighting for the castle ruins, lighting for the market cross, better lighting for Newgate to link the town centre with the Bowes Museum, and Christmas lighting for the main streets.

It is hoped to make some improvements to the Witham Hall.

Another feature on the list is the creation of more wireless "hotspots", so residents and businesses will have easier access to broadband.

Mrs Allen said: "We have two hotspots, at the tourist information office in the town centre and Enterprise House on the business park, but we need more so that every local business can have better broadband connections."

Another section of the Vision will deal with transport, including car parking, public transport, HGV routes and the control of mobility scooters, which have caused a problem at times in the town.

A further section is dealing with an appraisal of sites to see whether they can be developed.

These include the Hole in the Wall car park, land behind the Bowes Museum, Scar Top, Shaw Bank, Startforth Park and the auction mart.

Mrs Allen said: "Many details are being studied and the wishes of residents taken into account, so that every item which can lead to an improvement in the town can be assessed.

"We feel there is a really good case for the money we will be bidding for, and that the result will be improvements for all local residents."

Town clerk Geoff Bosworth said the town had the opportunity of a lifetime, and the town council would collaborate closely to ensure the best results.